Weed Identification

Australia > > Tree-of-Heaven

Tree-of-Heaven

Ailanthus altissima

Family: Simaroubaceae.

Form: Tree

Origin: Native to China.

Flowers/Seedhead: Flowers: In terminal clusters mostly 6–12 cm long; male and female flowers on separate plants (dioecious). Male flowers emit an offensive smell that attracts insects. Flowers summer.

Description: Deciduous, suckering shrub or large tree to 15 m high. Leaves alternate 20–50 (rarely to 100) cm long, with base of leaf stalk swollen (see photo). Leaves usually consist of 9–21 ovate, strongly veined, mostly opposite leaflets, 4–13 cm long, and with the terminal leaflet often smaller. Seeds surrounded by a flattened wing (see photo), green at first but becoming reddish.

Distinguishing features: Distinguished by leaflet lobes with a conspicuous dark gland (see photo) that produces an unpleasant smell when crushed and clusters of winged fruits.

Dispersal: Spread by seed and suckers.


Top: Young tree showing leaves that
end in a single leaflet
Bottom: Gland on underside of leaf

Notes: Forms dense thickets sometimes many hectares in size. Known to be growing in Australia in mid 1800s. Was often cultivated, especially around rural buildings. Possibly toxic to stock. In China its wood is used for fuel, construction and furniture; its bark and leaves for medicine and its leaves for food for a moth which makes silk. Hardy plant, with a deep root system.

References:

    Noxious Weeds of Australia. W. Parsons and E. Cuthbertson, 1992, pages 589–591. Flora of NSW. G. Harden (ed), Vol. 2, 1991, page 276.

Web References: Search Australian web sites for further information on this weed.

Large clump near Tamworth, NSW
Seed surrounded by a reddish wing

This weed has been included in the WEEDeck field guide as card T07

More information about WEEDeck is available from Sainty & Associates Pty. Ltd.

 

Australia > > Tree-of-Heaven

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